I first became seriously involved in dog training in 1996 when I found an abandoned puppy and decided to take him to classes. I soon discovered that I had an affinity for working with dogs and after a short time I began assisting the instructor with new class members who needed a little extra help. Soon I was instructing classes and reading as much as possible about dog training and “psychology” in my spare time.
As my knowledge and experience increased, I decided to consolidate my skills by obtaining a formal qualification in the field. I enrolled for the basic behaviour course run by Ethology Consultancy and went on to obtain “best practice” in their advanced canine behaviour course. I am a registered member of the South African Board for Companion Animal Professionals.
I recently qualified as a Hills Veterinary Nutrition Advisor, Level One, and completed a Certificate in Early Canine Development from the University of Pretoria. I am currently enrolled in the COAPE Advanced Diploma in the Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training.
I make it a priority to keep up to date with the latest behavioural research and proven training techniques and base most of my methods on the work of internationally renowned behaviourists and trainers like Ian Dunbar (whose seminar I attended in 2008) and Jean Donaldson. Following their example, I use reward-based training methods in all of my classes and aim not only to solve behavioural problems, but through owner education, to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
My special interest lies in the benefits that dogs bring to us as humans and I currently serve on the advisory panel for Pets as Therapy. For several years as a PAT volunteer I visited a home for the elderly and a school for children with special needs with my rescued Rottie crossbreed, Emily. Emily’s remarkable recovery from a history of abuse gave me a special love for rescued dogs and over the years I have been involved in various ways with The Emma Animal Rescue Society. I am currently the resident behaviourist at TEARS and am involved in assessing dogs admitted to the shelter, instructing basic obedience classes for the kennel assistants and resident dogs and training the volunteers in the “Open Paw” dog rehabilitation programme.
I am also passionate about promoting the important “place” of dogs in our changing society and preserving the rights of dog owners to enjoy the companionship of their dogs in public places and during recreation. As a committee member of Friends of the Dog Walkers I am actively involved in negotiating with Table Mountain National Park to ensure that dog owners continue to be allowed to walk and hike with their dogs in all the areas where we have traditionally done so for generations.
Although I love working with all breeds (and mixed breeds), Rottweilers are my personal favourite. I am currently on the committee of the Cape Rottweiler Club and alse serve as their puppy class instructor.
ABOUT MY DOGS
Wyatt is a 16 year old Border Collie X German Shepherd. He is the reason that I first became involved in dog training. He was a very easy-going puppy, but quite a handful as a “teenager”. Mixing with other dogs and hunting were his top priorities in life (he had spent the first few months of his life with a large group of dogs before we found him). Wyatt tends to come across as “Mr. Independent”, but actually likes nothing more than to be wherever we are. His great hobbies are “fishing” in rock-pools and digging in molehills. Wyatt has always enjoyed good health and easily finished an 8 hour hike up Table Mountain at the age of 11. He was named after Wyatt Earp, the lawman of the wild-west and the name suits him perfectly, as he has broken up quite a few dog-fights in his time and makes it his mission to keep everyone in line!
Judah is a six year-old, pedigreed Rottweiler. Although he is no longer the baby in the family, he still acts like a giant puppy. Judah has great “drive” for training and adores protection work whenever he gets the chance to participate in it. He is a big softy with friends and family, but strangers find him very intimidating. Judah loves toys, toys and more toys - especially ones he can play tug with or that squeak a lot. He also loves playing with tortoises in the garden and so we have had to work very hard on “leave it!” Judah’s latest hobbies are hauling rocks out of the bottom of tidal pools, snorkling (blowing bubbles out of his nose while under water!) and trying to get us to play games with anything that vaguely resembles a protection sleeve. He is tremendous fun and a great and cuddly companion, but really keeps us on our toes!
Rosie is the baby in the family. She is 2 year-old, pedigreed Rottweiler and is probably the most sociable and outgoing dog we have ever had. Rosie just loves all people and dogs and happily throws herself into the arms of anyone who pays her the slightest bit of attention. Rosie is an excellent student when it comes to training and has already achieved her Bronze, Silver and Gold Canine Good Citizen Test Certificates as well as rosettes for obedience and breed. She loves swimming and will happily dive off of river banks to fecth her ball. In fact, she is completely ball obessessed - which is very useful from a training point of view! She and Judah really enjoy each other’s company and love playing tug together.
In Loving Memory
Emily was a Rottweiler x Collie who sadly passed away 2 years ago. Although she had a full and happy life, her absence leaves a huge hole in our hearts and lives. Her life story is one of great hope and joy: We found her walking in the middle of the road early one morning. She was skin and bones and most of her fur had fallen out due to mange. Emily was incredibly fearful of people, but with time, love, remedial socializing and lots of positive training, she became a dog who loved life and everyone she met to the full. Emily enjoyed nothing more than to be stroked and petted. She also tried to play with every dog she met. She was incredibly gentle during Pets as Therapy visits and as a result, both children and elderly persons found her easy to interact with. Emily won several rosettes in obedience competitions in her younger years. She was a really special dog and devoted companion.